Letter: Ipswich families should sign up for early ed aid

Thursday

Apr 17, 2014 at 2:49 PMApr 17, 2014 at 2:49 PM

I wrote to the Massachusetts Department of Early Childhood and Care concerning the availability of financial assistance for families that are not able to pay the full tuition charged by the many quality pre-schools located in Ipswich.It is very important that all children attend a quality pre-school because it is generally accepted now that children who attend a quality pre-school for two years before entering the regular school system are at a tremendous advantage over children who have not.This is part of the reply sent me:"Unfortunately, there is limited resources and EEC is not able to provide immediate access for financial assistance and require families to place their names on our income eligible waitlist. Families seeking funding may place their name on the EEC Income Eligible waitlist and enter into care providing they are at or below 50 percent of the State Median Income (SMI) based on the gross household income and family size. Parents/Guardians must also confirm a valid service need/activity including: employment, education or training. In limited circumstances, parents may declare disability/special need for a service need providing they verify that their disability prevents them from working or participating in education or training programs and are unable to provide a safe environment for their child(ren) based on the child(ren)’s age and needs. Families seeking assistance using the service need of disability/special need of parent may enter into care at up to 85 percent of the SMI. Disability/Special need of parent as a service need has a time limit of two years."If you are interested in adding your name to the income eligible waitlist, you may contact MASS 211 (simply dial 211 from your telephone) and the waitlist agent will request you provide specific information to place your name on the waitlist."As a former teacher, teacher of teachers, and School Committee member, I urge all parents who will need assistance to call 211 and to place the names of their children on the waiting list as soon as possible.All registered voters who care about the future for our children (and our country) should follow the candidates who are running for state positions and for U.S. Congress this year in order to determine which ones would be most likely to support additional support for early childhood education. — Ed Traverso, East Street